{{Short description|Australian Christmas film}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2026}} {{use dmy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox film | name = | image = | caption = | director = Heath Davis | producer = {{plainlist|* Rick Beecroft * Heath Davis * Daniel Fenech * Jai Kemp * Mathew McCracken * Cindy Pritchard }} | screenplay = Heath Davis | based_on = | starring = {{plainlist| * Hannah Joy * Steve Le Marquand * Darren Gilshenan }} | music = Matt Sladen | cinematography = Chris Bland | editing = Romain Mongin | studio = {{plainlist| * Albert Street Films * Brick Studios }} | distributor = | released = {{Film date|2023|10|29|Austin Film Festival|2023|11|30|Australia|df=y}} | runtime = | country = Australia | language = English | budget = }} '''''Christmess''''' is a 2023 Australian Christmas film written and directed by Heath Davis. It stars Hannah Joy, Steve Le Marquand, and Darren Gilshenan.<!---self-referential redirect at the moment; to distinguish from a NZ cricketer of the same name.--->
==Premise== Three recovering addicts try to get through the festive season without relapsing, in Campbelltown, a suburb in western Sydney, Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-10/christmess-film-review/103200484|website=ABC.net|accessdate=13 December 2023|title= This Australian festive film starring the lead singer of Middle Kids is for people who find Christmas hard|first=Katherine|last=Smyrk|date=9 December 2023}}</ref>
==Cast== * Hannah Joy as Joy * Steve Le Marquand as Chris Flint * Darren Gilshenan as Nick * Aaron Glenane as Jeff * Nicole Pastor as Noelle * George Burgess as a Doorman/bouncer
==Production== An independent Australian film, ''Christmess'' is written and directed by Heath Davis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/christmess-is-undoubtedly-one-of-the-best-christmas-films-to-emerge-from-anywhere-in-recent-years-218435|website=The Conversation|accessdate=13 December 2023|title= Christmess is undoubtedly one of the best Christmas films to emerge – from anywhere – in recent years|date=November 29, 2023|first= Ari|last=Mattes}}</ref> Davis began writing an “authentic” Christmas film after Christmas 2020 when he spent time in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic without work or family, and watched a lot of “bad Christmas films”.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://junkee.com/christmess-movie-heath-davis-interview/356051|website=Junkee|accessdate=13 December 2023|title= "Christmas Can Be Bleak": Heath Davis On His New Movie 'Christmess'|first=David James|last= Young|date=12 December 2023}}</ref>
It is produced by Daniel Fenech, Cindy Pritchard, and Matthew McCracken. Funding for the film partially came from crowd-funding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://au.variety.com/2023/film/trailers/christmess-film-trailer-11409/?amp=1|website=Variety|date=4 October 2023|accessdate=13 December 2023|title= Watch the Trailer for Australian Festive Film 'Christmess'}}</ref>
===Casting=== The film marks the feature film acting debut of Hannah Joy, the lead singer with rock band Middle Kids. Joy wrote several original songs for Christmess, including ''Empty Chair'', ''Deadbeat Dads'', and ''Boxing Day'' and performs all three songs in character during the film.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Rolling Stone|url= https://au.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/christmess-trailer-middle-kids-hannah-joy-50533/|first=Conor|last=Lochrie|accessdate=13 December 2023|title= Middle Kids' Hannah Joy Makes Her Big Screen Debut in Festive Film|date=4 October 2023}}</ref>
===Filming=== Principal photography got underway in Sydney in June 2022 with a three-week filming schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2022/film/news/christmess-film-heath-davis-1235283332/|website=Variety|accessdate=13 December 2023|date= June 2, 2022|title=Alcoholic 'Christmess' Film From Heath Davis Shooting in Sydney|first=Patrick|last=Frater}}</ref>
==Release== The film had its world premiere at the Austin Film Festival on 29 October 2023. It was released in Australia on 30 November 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://if.com.au/heath-davis-christmess-to-premiere-at-austin-film-festival/|website=If.com|accessdate=13 December 2023|title= Heath Davis' 'Christmess' to premiere at Austin Film Festival|first=Sean|last=Slatter|date=September 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://austinfilmfestival.com/festival-and-conference-aff/2023-conference-schedule-2/|website=Austin Film Festival|title=Schedule|accessdate=13 December 2023}}</ref>
==Reception== Nadine Whitney in ''The Curb'' described the film as "painful, hopeful, gentle, and funny as hell".<ref>{{cite web|first= Nadine |last=Whitney |website=The Curb|url=https://www.thecurb.com.au/heath-davis-christmess-is-the-major-miracle-independent-australian-cinema-needs/|date=7 December 2023|accessdate=13 December 2023|title=Heath Davis' Christmess is the Major Miracle Independent Australian Cinema Needs}}</ref>
Luke Buckmaster in ''The Guardian'' described it as "a very absorbing film, tenderly written and directed".<ref>{{cite web|website=The Guardian|accessdate=13 December 2023|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/dec/13/best-australian-christmas-movies-2023|title= Sweary Santas and barbecue explosions: what's the best Australian Christmas movie?|date=12 December 2023|first=Luke|last=Buckmaster}}</ref>
==See also== *List of Christmas films
== References == {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|14845814}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Christmess}} Category:2023 films Category:2023 English-language films Category:2023 Australian films Category:Films shot in Sydney Category:Australian Christmas films Category:2020s Christmas films Category:English-language Christmas films